Mangrove forests are a special type of vegetation that grows in the intertidal regions where freshwater and saltwater intermix, such as in the bays, estuaries, creeks and lagoons. They are salt-tolerant plants that can survive in harsh conditions and provide various ecological and economic benefits. They are also home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including some endangered species.
Mangrove Forest Cover in India
India has a mangrove forest cover of 4975 sq. km, occupying 3.6% of the global mangroves and 0.15% of the total geographical area of India. The mangroves are distributed along the coastal states and union territories of India, with the highest concentration in the east coast. The following table shows the state-wise mangrove cover in India as per the State of Forest Report 2019:
| State/UT | Mangrove Cover (sq. km) | Percentage of Total Mangrove Cover |
|---|---|---|
| West Bengal | 2114 | 42.5 |
| Gujarat | 1180 | 23.7 |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 617 | 12.4 |
| Maharashtra | 222 | 4.5 |
| Orissa | 231 | 4.6 |
| Tamil Nadu | 47 | 0.9 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 367 | 7.4 |
| Goa | 31 | 0.6 |
| Karnataka | 7 | 0.1 |
| Kerala | 6 | 0.1 |
| Pondicherry | 8 | 0.2 |
| Total | 4975 | 100 |
Major Mangrove Forests in India
Some of the major mangrove forests in India are:
- The Sundarbans: This is the largest contiguous mangrove forest in the world, covering an area of about 10,000 sq. km in the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal. It is shared by India and Bangladesh, with about 60% of the forest lying in Bangladesh and the rest in India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Ramsar Site, and is known for its exceptional biodiversity, especially the Royal Bengal Tiger, Ganges and Irawadi dolphins, estuarine crocodiles and the critically endangered endemic river terrapin (Batagur baska).
- Bhitarkanika: This is the second largest mangrove forest in India, covering an area of about 650 sq. km in the delta of the Brahmani and Baitarani rivers in Odisha. It is a Ramsar Site and a National Park, and is considered a “mangrove genetic paradise” for its high diversity of mangrove species. It is also home to many wildlife species, such as saltwater crocodiles, olive ridley turtles, king cobras, fishing cats and migratory birds.
- Krishna-Godavari: This is the third largest mangrove forest in India, covering an area of about 367 sq. km along the coast of Andhra Pradesh at the mouth of the Krishna and Godavari rivers. It is also known as Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, and is a Ramsar Site and an Important Bird Area. It supports a variety of mangrove species, such as Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia caseolaris and Excoecaria agallocha. It also harbours many wildlife species, such as smooth-coated otters, fishing cats, sea turtles, dolphins and water birds.
- Pichavaram: This is one of the most scenic mangrove forests in India, covering an area of about 110 sq. km along the coast of Tamil Nadu near Chidambaram town. It is also known as Pichavaram Mangrove Forest Reserve, and is a Ramsar Site and an Important Bird Area. It consists of more than 50 islands separated by narrow water channels that can be explored by boats. It has a high diversity of mangrove species, such as Avicennia officinalis, Rhizophora apiculata, Bruguiera cylindrica and Ceriops tagal. It also hosts many wildlife species, such as water snakes, crabs, prawns, clams and birds.
Importance and Conservation of Mangrove Forests
Mangrove forests are important for various reasons:
- They protect the coast from erosion, storm surges, tsunamis and cyclones by acting as natural barriers and buffers.
- They support the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on them for fishing, crabbing, honey collection, tourism and other activities.
- They sequester and store large amounts of carbon, thus mitigating climate change and its impacts.
- They provide habitat, food, shelter and breeding grounds for a wide range of terrestrial, aquatic and marine species, many of which are endangered or endemic.
- They maintain the water quality and nutrient balance of the coastal ecosystems by filtering pollutants and sediments.
However, mangrove forests are also facing many threats, such as:
- Deforestation and degradation due to urbanization, industrialization, aquaculture, agriculture and other developmental activities.
- Pollution from domestic, agricultural and industrial sources that affect the health and productivity of the mangroves and their associated fauna.
- Climate change that causes sea level rise, temperature increase, salinity change, acidification and extreme weather events that affect the survival and distribution of the mangroves.
- Invasive species that compete with or prey on the native mangrove species and alter the ecosystem functioning.
- Lack of awareness, appreciation and participation among the local communities and stakeholders regarding the value and conservation of the mangroves.
Therefore, there is a need to conserve and restore the mangrove forests in India by adopting various measures, such as:
- Implementing legal and policy frameworks that recognize the rights and responsibilities of the local communities and stakeholders in managing the mangroves.
- Enhancing scientific research and monitoring to assess the status, trends and threats of the mangroves and their biodiversity.
- Promoting sustainable use and management practices that balance the ecological, economic and social benefits of the mangroves.
- Restoring degraded or lost mangrove areas by planting suitable native species and removing invasive species.
- Raising awareness and education among the public, especially the youth, about the importance and conservation of the mangroves.